We have an opening for a UAS Integration Engineer to support the Flight Test Group. The Flight Test Group is a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team that specializes in rapid development of reliable in-field deployable assets. You will be well-rounded with a broad range of knowledge and experience but also have specific experience with small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and their applications. Your disciplinary background will include good mechanical design skills and intuition, knowledge and experience with DC electronics circuit design, and prior experience with software development and maintenance activities. Your primary role will be to support, develop, maintain, and expand ongoing sUAS development efforts (hardware, electrical, and software) as a member of the Flight Test Group, but your relevant skills may also be leveraged to support other Flight Test development efforts. This position is in the Defense Technologies Engineering Division (DTED), within the Engineering Directorate. DTED provides support to the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Program.
Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.
This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.
You will
Conduct systems integration work to incorporate COTS and custom subsystems into Flight Test sUAS to enhance capabilities and increase system robustness and mission flexibility, following standard techniques and methodologies.
Contribute to the mechanical, electrical, and software design and development of sUAS airframes, power systems, sensor payloads, communication boxes, and supporting equipment, using defined practices, principles, and concepts.
Conduct test & evaluation activities including flight tests, demos, subsystem tests, etc., and provide solutions to operational problems of limited complexity.
Contribute to and/or generate system documentation, procedures, specifications, and other technical documents for use by Flight Test and other supporting personnel.
Assist in coordinating the procurement, fabrication, and manufacturing of sUAS-related mechanical and electrical components.
Collaborate with other members of the Flight Test group to understand how sUAS capabilities can be leveraged to enhance various aspects of Flight Test operations.
Provide engineering support to the Flight Test group for relevant engineering problems and other areas of research and development.
Support Flight Test in-field deployments in domestic and foreign locations which are nominally 2 weeks in duration, and up to several times per year.
Collect, interpret, and provide data processing support for the Flight Test group analysts.
Participate in technical presentations and provide technical support to Flight Test group customers.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.2 level
Utilize comprehensive engineering knowledge and apply relevant professional experience to resolve complex technical and programmatic issues and assist in enhancing and expanding the Flight Test sUAS capability toward the development of a full-fledged sUAS program.
Independently determine methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on analysis of multiple, largely identifiable factors.
Participate in and provide support for additional project management activities, including assisting with planning, technical resource management, recruitment of staff, technical mentorship, and direction of work.
Contribute to the successful completion of project and organizational goals and provide technical input on tasks and projects.
Address concurrent technical tasks with competing priorities in a multi-disciplinary team environment including important commitments and deadlines, exploring a variety of approaches and methods and recommending improvements as appropriate.